Cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro last night slammed the SABC as
"predictable, cowardly and spineless" for cancelling for the second
time the broadcast of a political satire documentary, writes Michelle Jones in The Star.
The Special Assignment episode examining freedom of speech and the use of political satire and cartoons was pulled from the air a few hours before it was to be flighted last night – as happened when first scheduled just before the elections.
Minutes after the show should have been broadcast, irate viewers called to complain about "blatant censoring" by the SABC.
"Tonight's episode of Special Assignment will not be aired owing to the fact that due process with regards to consultation has not been concluded," said SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago just over an hour before the show was to be aired.
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"Because of the problems encountered previously with this particular episode, the acting group CEO, Mr Gab Mampone, in his capacity as editor-in-chief, will need to make the final sign-off."
Once the approval process had been completed, the show would be broadcast, he noted.
Click here to read the full report, posted on The Star's website (premium content – subscribers only).
